Stock Market Breaking News

Stock Market Prediction

Fri, 8 May 2009 08:51:00 -0700

NHAI to raise Rs 3000 crore in FY09-10

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:06:00 -0700

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plans to raise Rs 3,000 crore in 2009-10 through tax-free bonds to fund the road projects.

According to sources, the bonds are expected to hit the market very soon.

It should be noted that the company has earlier raised Rs 1,700 crore in the last fiscal (2008-09) to strengthen the sector.

In addition, the highways regulator was reported in talks with the Asian Development Bank for a loan of $400 million (about Rs 2,000 crore) to fund road projects.

Last year the highways' regulator had planned to bid out 60 projects worth Rs 70,000 crore but, most of these projects failed to generate any response in the wake of the economic slowdown.

Sun Pharmaceutical gets USFDA nod for Oxycodone HCL tablets

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:06:00 -0700

Drug firm Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has informed that the US health regulator Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has finally granted its subsidiary an approval for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) to market oxycodone hydrochloride tablets.

The drug is a generic version of Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals' Roxicodone tablet, which is used as a narcotic painkiller in the treatment of moderate to severe pain. The company said that it would launch the products in US market shortly, in the strength of 5mg, 15mg and 30mg.

According to reports, oxycodone tablets have annual sales of approximately US$160 million in the US.

Recently, Sun Pharmaceutical got U. S. Food & Drug Administration approval to make and sell generic versions of anticonvulsant topiramate tablets.

At 3:10 pm, the shares of company were trading at Rs 1148 on BSE, up by Rs 20.90 or 1.85%. The stock hit an intraday high of Rs 1163 and low of Rs 1127.10.

Intex launches Dual SIM mobile ‘IN-5050’

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:04:00 -0700

Intex Technologies, a 12-year-old IT Hardware and Electronics company, has finally entered CDMA based mobile phones genre with the launch of much awaited dual SIM (GSM + CDMA) mobile handset- IN 5050.

Earlier, the company was operating in GSM genre only with 7 models.

The latest sleek candy-bar handset, which weight just 88 grams, allows the users to multi-task by installing two separate SIM cards belonging to two different service providers (GSM/CDMA) and make a smooth shift between them, without switching off the mobile phone.

IN 5050 is equipped with a 1.3 megapixel camera along with Bluetooth, through which one can record and share some unforgettable moments. It allows users to store upto 1000 number phonebook and 400 SMS memory. Furthermore, the device also features Dual Speakers for a clear, high quality audio output.

To make the deal more attractive, the latest gizmo comes with freebies like 1 GB memory card, an extra battery and a portable battery charger. The device offers upto 160 minutes of talk time on full charge and upto 130 hrs of standby time.

Intex has been expanding its existing product lines at a really fast pace. Recently the company had introduced IN 2020, IN 2222, IN 1210 and IN 3333 mobile phones in the market and had also unveiled nine notebooks targeting different consumer segments.

The phone is available at a price of Rs 7,200 through company’s channel network comprising of 1000+ distributors and 12,000+ dealers spread across the country.

Nokia launches ‘N79’

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:04:00 -0700

Nokia, the world's biggest mobile phone maker, has launched the N79, a characteristic typical of the iconic Nseries that combines intelligent and customizable design with a fully-loaded multimedia device.

The newly launched handset is powered by Symbian OS 9.3, Series 60 v3.2 UI operating system, instead of the typical Windows Mobile OS. In addition, it comes equipped with a complete range of multimedia experiences such as AGPS with voice navigation, high-speed connectivity, superior web browsing experience, 10 pre-loaded N-Gage games.

Moreover, while many mobile phones only include a measly 1.3 megapixel camera, the Nokia N79 comes with an extra formidable 5 Megapixel camera, along with Carl Zeiss optics, autofocus, dual LED Flash, which captures sharp, clear images and videos that can be edited without even using a personal computer.

Combined with the device’s high-fidelity sound from its dual speakers, the device comes with the integrated FM Transmitter, which makes it a true companion for music lovers. As far as memory is concerned, the mobile uses microSD, which allow it an extendable memory of up to 8GB, on top of the 50 MB of internal memory.

Each Nokia N79 pack comes with two additional interchangeable Xpress-On smart covers in different colours, which have an inbuilt microchip that ensures that when the back cover is changed, the display theme changes automatically to match the colour of the cover.

As a special offer for Indian consumers, the Nokia N79, comes preloaded with ‘Anthems 1998-2008’, a compilation of 19 all-time favorite classic club songs and 17 new age music videos, presented by the Ministry of Sound.

The company claims that it’s newly launched ‘Nokia N79’ offers up to 372 hours of battery time in standby, and 5 and a half hours while talking.

The Nokia N79 is available at a price tag of Rs 22,939 through Nokia outlets, across the country.

Gitanjali to open 30 new jewels outlets

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:02:00 -0700

Gitanjali Jewels, owned by the Gitanjali Group, has planned over 30 Gitanjali Jewels outlets across the country in the next four months.

The company, a leading manufacturer of diamond jewellery and known for its Gili and Nakshatra brands of ornaments, said that these branded jewellery outlets would be over and above the 30 Gitanjali Jewels outlets, and came at various locations across the country.

According to the sources, these proposed outlets are expected to come up Tier-III towns of the country, as the firm believes that there is a huge potential for sale of branded jewellery items in these locations.

Currently, Gitanjali Group has 125 outlets throughout the country out of which 38 were branded jewellery outlets, while the remaining outlets of the group catered to fashion, lifestyle and luxury products.

Pantaloon soars 22%

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:02:00 -0700

Pantaloon Retail India board meeting for mulling over the restructuring of the company's business and raising funds through equity, its stock soared nearly 22 percent at the Bombay Stock Exchange on Monday, touching an intra-day high of Rs 207.80. The shares of the company - part of the Kishore Biyani-promoted Future Group - were up 16.41 percent at 199 rupees.

In January this year, Pantaloon Retail had announced its intentions of skim off four of its business entities - which also include Big Bazaar and Food Bazaar - into sovereign ancillaries, thereby keeping open their future prospects of being listed independently.

According to a Pantaloon Retail a regulatory filing to the stock exchanges last week, the agenda of the proposed board meeting was to deliberate upon the restructuring of its business, "by realigning the business lines as per verticals and considering to create separate legal entities for the same."

The filing also added that, at the meeting, the board of the company would also reflect on the issuance of securities - including issuing shares or warrants, on preferential basis to potential promoters or investors - along with thinking about "changing the name of the company in view of its new structure."

Universal Cables inks ‘JV pact’ with Japan-based Furukawa Electric

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:01:00 -0700

Universal Cables, part of the M P Birla group, has informed that it has signed a JV pact with Japan-based Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd.

Under the arrangement, Universal Cables, in technical and financial collaboration with The Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd, Japan, would incorporate, establish operation of a Joint Venture Company, for manufacture of Optical Fibre and allied businesses in the country.

According to an official release, the company will be incorporated with an authorized capital of Rs 200 million.

Universal Cables Limited engages in the manufacture and sale of power cables, capacitors, and optical fiber in India and internationally.

The scrip of the company today closed at Rs 41, up 3 per cent compared to previous close of Rs 40.

Tech Mahindra wins Satyam

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:59:00 -0700

Scam-hit IT major Satyam has informed that its board of directors has selected Venturbay Consultants Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary controlled by Tech Mahindra Ltd. as the highest bidder to acquire the controlling stake in the company.

However, the decision is yet subject to the approval of the Company Law Board (CLB).

Tech Mahindra, which is a joint venture between British Telecom and the Indian conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra, today emerged as bid winner by bidding at Rs 58 per share, defeating bids of rivals viz. engineering firm Larsen & Toubro (Rs 45.90/share) and billionaire investor Wilbur Ross (Rs 20/share).

Just after declaration of result, Tech Mahindra has executed a share subscription agreement with the company, under which the company has agreed to subscribe to 30.28 crore shares of the company, representing 31% of the share capital of the company.

The company will infuse Rs 1757 crore into the company through equity shares, to acquire controlling stake at quoted price.

Reacting to latest development, market analysts said that latest acquisition deal will definitely help the company, to diversify into new areas instead of just depending on the telecom sector.

During intraday session, shares of Tech Mahindra today surged as much as 25 per cent on the BSE after the software firm emerged as the highest bidder. The scrip of the company finally settled the day at Rs 359, up 12% compared to previous close.

Tesco to set up shop in India

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:11:00 -0700

Two years after it ended joint venture talks with the Bharti group, the UK’s largest retailer Tesco today announced it was going solo in the Rs 1,500-crore cash-and-carry sector in the country. The firm would invest nearly Rs 485 crore in the next two years. Tesco is also simultaneously signing an exclusive franchise agreement with Trent, the retailing arm of the Tatas. The agreement will give Trent’s hypermarket chain, Star Bazaar, access to Tesco’s supply chain, computer systems and inventory and infrastructure management. Trent will pay a “nominal fee” to Tesco for using its services.

Tesco unveiled its plan a year after Wal-Mart, the world’s biggest retailer, signed on Bharti for a wholesale joint venture. Wal-Mart and Bharti aim to have their first outlet in business by the end of this year to meet a goal of opening 10 to 15 wholesale stores in seven years. Tesco will set up its wholesale stores first in Mumbai and then in cities such as Delhi and Bangalore and use a “hub-and-spoke” model to expand its distribution network. However, Tesco will not supply to other hypermarkets apart from Trent.

Trent currently has four hypermarkets — larger version of supermarkets — with plans to grow to 50 stores over the next five years. In September 2007, Trent inked a deal with Benetton of Italy, under which Trent would be the exclusive franchisee for one of Benetton’s premium brands Sisley. Sisley has seven stores in the country. For Trent, which also runs Westside, an apparel chain, and Landmark Books and Music, the tie-up is expected to boost the expansion plans of Star Bazaar. For Tesco, the entry is expected to add to its existing sourcing capabilities in the country. Tesco already sources over £170 million worth of Indian products each year, with sourcing offices in Delhi, Bangalore and Tirupur. It also employs nearly 3,000 Indian staff at its Hindustan Service centre in Bangalore, providing IT, financial and business services to the entire Tesco group.

The UK company has shops in emerging markets from Turkey to Malaysia and generates more than 25 percent of sales outside Britain. Trent surged Rs 41.95, or 8.4 per cent, to Rs 541.20 on the Bombay Stock Exchange today. The gain was the biggest in more than seven months. Tesco shares also rose in London. Germany’s retail giant Metro has opened its wholesale store in Bangalore and Mumbai and announced other stores in the north and eastern parts of the country. Carrefour, the world’s second-largest retailer based in France, is also planning its Indian foray in 2009 from metros such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai.

Carrefour is said to be talking to many Indian companies, including Delhi-based Parsvnath, and is expected to announce a tie-up soon. The sector has seen the entry of domestic retailers such as Future Group, Reliance, Wadhawan Group among others, in recent times.

Crude oil futures touched $112.48 the lowest since May 2 2008

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:09:00 -0700

Crude oil was little changed as Russia called off military action in Georgia and the dollar dropped from a 5 1/2-month high against the euro, curbing the appeal of commodities as an inflation hedge. Crude oil for September delivery fell to $112.31 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange at the time of going to the Press. Futures touched $112.48 earlier on Tuesday, the lowest since May 2. Prices are up 60 per cent from a year ago.

Prices rebounded after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced the end to the five-day offensive in Georgia, a country that connects the oil-rich Caspian Sea region with world markets. BP stopped pumping oil into a pipeline from Azerbaijan to the Black Sea coast because of concern over security. The dollar declined 0.1 per cent to $1.4923 per euro at 9:02 am in New York, from $1.4909 yesterday. It touched $1.4816, the strongest since February 26.

Reliance Communications expected to start nationwide commercial operations of its Big Digital TV DTH service

Sat, 9 Aug 2008 01:18:00 -0700

Reliance Communications expected to start nationwide commercial operations of its DTH service from August 15. ‘Big Digital TV DTH’, a subsidiary of RCOM, is betting big on the huge potential of home entertainment in the Indian households. It is estimated that India has over 124 million TV households, with roughly 80 million using the conventional cable delivery platform.

DTH operators in the country, Tata Sky, DishTV and Sun are estimated to have a user base of around 7-8 million. Big Digital TV DTH would announce its tariff plans in the next few days before the launch of services. When contacted company spokesperson refused to comment. Sources, however, said Big Digital TV DTH would unleash an aggressive launch plan with an aim to become the largest DTH operator in the country in the first year of operation.

The company is believed to have placed order for 5 million Set Top Boxes with Korean and Taiwanese vendors to meet its requirements in the first year, they said, adding Big Digital TV is targeting to capture a substantial share of the DTH market that is projected to cross 25-million user base in the next three years. The company has already completed trial runs across 2,400 towns and the service is currently available for customers of other Reliance ADAG group companies for Rs 1,000.

Rupee - 13 paise lower against the dollar

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 09:04:00 -0700

The rupee closed about 13 paise lower against the dollar due to dollar buying by oil companies and news of Iran going ahead with its nuclear programme. The rupee opened at 42.45/46 and touched a high of 42.34. However, following this, the rupee moved down continuously and closed at 42.48/49, lower from the previous close of 42.35/36.

A forex dealer with a public sector bank said that there was heavy demand from oil companies. The stock market going into negative territory for some part of the day also resulted in dollar buying, he added. The rupee’s movement will track the oil price and is unlikely to cross 42.25, the dealer said. The forward premia also moved lower with the six-month closing at 4.22 per cent (4.6 per cent) and the 12-month closing at 3.54 per cent (3.88 per cent).

Aditya Birla Nuvo drops 130% in Q1

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 09:02:00 -0700

Aditya Birla Nuvo reported a 130 per cent dip in its consolidated net profit for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, mostly on account of higher losses in its life insurance business and investments in its BPO and garment retail businesses. The company reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 28.3 crore during the quarter, as against a profit of Rs 94.7 crore in the corresponding period last fiscal.

Its life insurance business reported a net loss of Rs 146.8 crore during the quarter from Rs 33.6 crore in the year-ago period, which was largely due to the growing share of new business premium. “The new business is fully profitable – however, income from it will accrue over the policy period, as is the case with the nature of this business. Higher spends on intensification of distribution network also affected profitability,” the company said.

NTPC Ltd new joint venture

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 08:59:00 -0700

NTPC Ltd, Asian Development Bank (ADB), GE Energy Financial Services, Kyushu Electric Power Co and Brookfield Renewable Power will form a joint venture company to undertake renewable power generation.

The companies on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form a joint venture company for generating renewable power. NTPC would hold a 40 per cent stake in the company while the remaining would be equally shared by other entities. The joi nt venture company would develop greenfield and under-utilised potential sites to establish 500 MW of renewable power generation sources in the country.

The company would seek to develop projects in the country and may consider investing abroad in the near future. Initially, the company would concentrate on wind power, mini and micro-hydro electric power. The Chairman of the joint venture entity would b e nominated by NTPC.

RBI hikes repo rate CRR

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 19:17:00 -0700

On 29 July 2008, the Reserve Bank of India increased the repo rate by 50 basis points to 9 per cent. It also hiked the cash reserve ratio (CRR) by 25 basis points to 9 per cent beginning 30 August 2008.

While the repo rate hike is expected to make overnight funds costlier for banks, the CRR hike is expected to marginally reduce the lendable funds of banks.

Banks are aggressively using the repo facility of the RBI since the beginning of July. They borrowed almost Rs.38,900 crore per day from the RBI through its liquidity adjustment facility. Therefore the hike in the repo rate by the RBI will surely put some pressure on the cost of funds of banks.

The 25 basis points hike in the cash reserve ratio will suck out about Rs.8,000-8,500 crore of liquidity from the banking system. This will reduce the lendable resources of banks and, coupled with the repo rate hike, will bring the net interest margins of banks a bit under pressure.

Surplus liquidity in the banking system stood at a robust Rs.1,37,215 lakh crore as on 18 July 2008. About Rs.1,30,000 of this surplus liquidity comprises long term securities issued under the market stabilisation scheme. None of these securities are maturing before April 2009.

In this context, it may be noted that demand for credit remains high with credit growth well outpacing deposit growth. SCB credit is growing at around 25-26 per cent while SCB deposits are growing by around 21-22 per cent. According the disaggregated data from the monetary authority's quarterly review, growth in credit to industry accelerated further from 26.4 per cent a year ago to 26.9 per cent as on 23 May 2008. Growth in credit to small scale industries accelerated sharply from 29.5 per cent to 52.1 per cent during this period. However, the continuous rise in interest rates over the past one year did take its toll on personal loans. Growth in personal loans slowed from 23.9 per cent a year ago to 15.9 per cent as on 23 May 2008.

TATA Steel 2007-08 results

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 19:16:00 -0700

TATA Steel Limited has announced the following audited results for the year ended March 31st 2008

TATA Steel has posted a net profit of INR 46870.30 million for the year ended March 31st 2008 up by 11% YoY as compared to INR 42221.50 million for the year ended March 31st 2007. Total income has increased from INR 179847.60 million for the year ended March 31st 2007 to INR 200282.80 million for the year ended March 31st 2008, registering a growth of 11.3% YoY.

The consolidated results are as follows
TATA Steel has posted a profit after minority interest & share of profits of associates of INR 123499.80 million for the year ended March 31st 2008 up by 195.6% YoY as compared to INR 41772.70 million for the year ended March 31st 2007. Total income has increased from INR 256504.50 million for the year ended March 31st 2007 to INR 1321100.90 million for the year ended March 31st 2008, registering a growth of 415% YoY.

Addressing the media, Mr B Muthuraman MD of TATA Steel said that the TATA Steel group vision was to set a global benchmark in value creation and to increase the return on capital invested to 30% by 2012. He added that "Our aspiration in due course is to become a 50 million tonne plus steel company. Our bearings and tubular divisions are working on products for the TATA Nano."

Nuclear Agreement between India - USA

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:59:00 -0700

Here follows the commercial & technical aspects relating to this AgreementWhat is 123 Agreement?

This is called 123 Agreement because this comes under USA's Atomic Power Act Section 123.Let's see how India's (Indians?) Sovereinty & Independence are pledged..

(1) After this Agreement USA will supply all fuel, machinery / equipment & technology to India for producing Nuclear Power.

(2) India currently produces power from 22 Nuclear Power Plants. It's a top secret as of now that from where which is produced, how much is produced, where it issupplied, what research is being done with that, etc. But... if we sign this Agreement, we have to disclose these secrets and also agree to 14 of our Nuclear Power Plants to be under the scanner of International Atomic Power Organisation.

(3) The fuel utilised to produce Atomic Power can be recycled for reuse and this recycling plant will also be under the direct supervision of IAPO.If India does nuclear test, this agreement gets cancelled. But not so easy!!
* USA will take back all the machinery / equipments / technology supplied to India thus far.
* Those 14 plants will continue to be under scanner irrespective of the status of the agreement.
* On the other hand, if any of the commitments given by USA is breached by them, then there is no clause for cancelling this agreement.

The agreement is apparently like this... USA can either hug India or slap India. India will not ask why are we hugged or why are we slapped.On the other hand, India cannot hug or slap USA for breach of agreement.

This is only in its capsule form so that it is easy to read and digest.
Subject: India Pledged.... Part 2
Requirement of PowerThe most important requirement for India's Economic Growth in the coming years will be the power & infrastructure. The argument put forth favouring the 123 Agreement says that we need Nuclear Power Production to be increased to meet the demand.Power Production in IndiaPresently following are the figures:
Thermal Power 66%
Hydel Power 26%
Solar & Wind Power 5% -
Presently Rs.600 Crores are spent for producing this power.
Nuclear Power 3% -
If this is to be increased to 6%, it requires additional Rs.50,000 Crores.

Naturally it will be wise to increase other 3 modes of power production rather than the expensive & dangerous Nuclear Power.

Why dangerous?
Whether power is produced or Bomb is produced, using Atomic power without spoiling the infrastructure and without allowing the radiation is always under threat. Moreover preserving the wastes coming out of Atomic Power Plants is expensive & unsafe. There was an accident in Three Miles Island in USA. To close this plant nearly USD 200 Crores spent with tons & tons of concrete but yet to be fully closed. In an another accident at Soviet Union's Serbia Plant, even the next generation children are affected due to the radiation. It will be very very expensive to defuse & close down an Atomic Power Plant than its construction cost.

URANIUM
We used to import Uranium from various other countries. After the Pokhran Test, we are not getting it. To augment the supply, we need to sign the 123 Agreement to get Uranium from USA. But we will have to declare to USA from which power plant India takes raw material for producing Atom Bomb. Other study reveals that Uranium is available in India in plenty. Only hurdle is the acquisition of land. To produce Atomic Power & Bomb in the next 40 years, the requirement of Uranium is 25,000 MT whereas the availability is 78,000 MT across India.

PLUTONIUM
Presently 35% of Plutonium is used to produce Atomic Bombs. After signing the Agreement, we will be allowed to use only 10%. Signing the agreement will enable them to restrict the usage of our natural resources!! That is though you are capable of cooking & eating 10 idlis as your breakfast, you are allowed only 3 idlis henceforth.THORIUMAs told by Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam, we have abundant Thorium. In fact we are the 2nd largest producer of Thorium next only to Australia. India has to explore this further for producing power. For your information, in South India - particularly around Kanyakumari, the availability of Thorium is abundant.INDIA-IRAN-CHINAUSA does not like the amicable relationship between India-Iran and also India-China. If India-China relationship gets stronger, then both these can rule the Eastern Part of the Globe, which USA wants to break as per the old divide & rule.By signing this agreement, USA wants India to depend on it for producing power which is going to be a crucial factor in future. There is a talk of bringing Natural Gas from Iran to India with a big pipeline project. USA doesn't like this proposal.FranceFrance has got 56 Nuclear Power stations producing 73% of the country's total power requirement. They are catching up the problem of eliminating the wastes / emissions from out of those plants at the same time increase the power production capacity. Government of France is now thinking how to reduce the power consumption in the country.ConclusionIn view of the above danger, rather than signing the agreement and pledging India to USA, it will be prudent to increase the Solar & Wind Energy and more importantly Hyder Power Production can be increased by linking all rivers across India and by constructing DAMS.The whole process of this Agreement started in the year 2005 when Manmohan visited USA. In a span of just 2 years a major decision of signing this agreement has taken place with political motive. On the contrary, neither this Government nor any other earlier Central Government could not amend the Constitution thereby nationalise the rivers across the country thereby effectively utilise the water resources for both Agriculture purpose and producing Hydel Power.

Ranbaxy rise 3% on ulcer drug launch

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:32:00 -0700

Ranbaxy Laboratories gained over 3 per cent after the pharmaceutical major announced the launch of a generic version of an ulcer pill Prilosec in the United States under an agreement with AstraZeneca. Omeprazole is the generic name of Prilosec. Prilosec 40 mg had sales of $204.2 million in the US market, Ranbaxy said in a statement citing IMS March 2008 data.

Oil prices rise as Nigeria pipeline attacks cut output

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:29:00 -0700

Oil prices rise due to Anglo-Dutch energy giant Royal Dutch Shell cut output in Nigeria after militants sabotaged at least one of its pipelines supplying crude. Prices also climbed as the market tracked developments over a disputed nuclear programme being run by Iran, a major exporter of oil. Brent North Sea crude for September delivery climbed 42 cents to $124.94 a barrel, though off earlier highs of above $126 as profit-taking set in. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for September, advanced by 36 cents to $123.62 a barrel.

Larsen & Toubro net profit rise up to 5 per cent

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:28:00 -0700

Larsen & Toubro net profit rise up to 5 per cent after the capital goods major posted a 33 per cent rise in quarterly net profit, beating forecasts, helped by strong demand from the engineering and construction sector. Larsen & Toubro has been riding a construction boom as the country revamps crumbling infrastructure such as airports, roads, ports and power plants. L&T, which has operations ranging from manufacturing to software services, reported a net profit of Rs 502 crore in the fiscal first quarter ended June, compared with Rs 377 crore reported a year ago.

Sensex may go below 14,000 ?????

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:51:00 -0700

The Sensex is likely to close below 14,000 and Nifty should breach the 4,300 mark before the expiry of the derivatives contract. Recent records suggest that indices close below their previous month’s levels on the derivatives expiry date if the preceding Friday witnesses bearish sentiment, as was the case today. Profit-booking dragged the benchmark indices near its support level of 4,300 today.

There was call selling at 4300 and 4400 strike prices and put buying at the strike price of 4400. The benchmark indices are unlikely to maintain those levels as the options traders are willing to pay a premium for in-the-money call and at-the-money put options.There was net buying in index futures and net sales in index options on July 24, going by the derivatives trading data for the day. The FIIs wrote calls at 4300 and 4400 strike prices and bought puts at the strike price of 4400.

The Nifty is likely to find support between 4200 and 4300. The put call ratio (PCR) at the strike price of 4200 is 2:1, while the PCR at the 4300 strike price is 1:1, suggesting support at these levels.The Nifty July and August futures contracts closed at a premium, indicating long rollovers at lower levels. The intra-day short positions in Nifty July futures were squared off and rollovers in August futures came down by 0.5 million shares in the after-trade session. With the July futures to expire in four days, the Nifty August futures witnessed an open interest build-up of 9.5 million shares. This is marginally higher from 9.1 million shares seen during the same time last month.

FII-TO-FII TRADES premium at 4% premium

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:47:00 -0700

Trades between FIIs generated a volume of Rs 111 crore on the BSE Friday-an increase of 68.12% from Rs 66 crore clocked on Thursday. As many as 7 stocks witnessed trades of 12 lakh shares on Friday.

Oriental Bank of Commerce was traded at highest premium of 3.48% on BSE with 62,900 shares changing hands at Rs 163.50 as against the spot price of Rs 158. Grasim Industries was traded at second highest premium of 3.10% on the BSE with 60,729 shares changing hands at Rs 1,900 as against the spot price of Rs 1,842.95.

IDBI Bank Q1 net rises 4 per cent

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:46:00 -0700

IDBI Bank today reported a 4 per cent rise in net profit to Rs 160 crore for the first quarter this year as against Rs 153 crore during the previous comparable period. The total income for the reporting quarter rose 24.94 per cent to Rs 2,740 crore from Rs 2,193 crore in the first quarter of 2007-08. Interest income grew 34.85 per cent to Rs 2,418 crore during the quarter ended June 2008, compared to Rs 1,793 crore the first quarter last year.

Interest expenses too grew at around the same pace, rising 34.45 per cent to Rs 2,326 crore. The bank's net interest income was up by 31 per cent at Rs 92 crore. While other banks are reporting a steep rise in provisions mainly for mark-to-market losses on their investment portfolio, IDBI Bank said that provisions and contingencies fell 76.81 per cent to Rs 19.88 crore during the first quarter of the current financial year, compared to Rs 85.73 crore during the corresponding period last year. It, however, reported a loss of Rs 34 crore on treasury operations, compared to a profit of Rs 85.73 crore.

Reliance Q1 net profit jumps 13%

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:45:00 -0700

Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has reported a 13 per cent increase in net profit for the first quarter ended June 2008, as it was able to sell its products at higher prices and also because of doubling of export sales.

The Mukesh Ambani-owned flagship firm has reported a net profit of Rs 4,110 crore or earnings per share (EPS) of Rs 28.3 for the quarter ended June 2008, against Rs 3,630 crore, or EPS of Rs 25, in the year-ago period. Turnover in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 increased 41 per cent to touch Rs 41,805 crore against Rs 29,721 crore in April-June 2007.

Nearly 95 per cent of the increase in turnover was due to increase in prices, with volume increases accounting for the rest, said a press release from the company. One of the primary reasons it was able to export more was due to the company's decision to shut down 1,432 petrol pumps it owned in India after it could not compete with state-owned oil marketing companies supported by government subsidy.